HyperDart - A new spaceplane

[dgatsoulis]

If you added an attachment point in the vessel's config file, wouldn't that enable you to grab it with a UMMU?

 

[CigDriver]

I will try that out tonight when I get home from work. It will be easy to drop that into the code.

 

[CigDriver]

Attachements did the trick Thanks for the tip dgatsoulis!

I just need to make a new scenario and we should be good for a new beta, on Tuesday no less

 

[Moach]

man, that thing is SO awesome.... can't wait for a new version :yes:


mind if i throw in a few suggestions?

i would find it helpful if there was an "automatically delete the Valkyrie launcher a few minutes after detach" feature... no point having it stick around just to fly itself into an unmanned crash, right?

it's not really a must-have feature... but since you already have it custom-coded, adding a simple delete vessel on a timer is not really such a stretch, now, is it?


very cool ship, BTW, love flying it!

 

[mc_]

I guess, Valkyrie just needs some sort of autopilot, with ajustable "return heading". It will fly, turning to back course and slowly descenting, so pilot will have enough time to get HyperDart to orbit (at least, to get ApA far enough), then return to Valkyrie and land it, and then return back to HyperDart just in time for PeA increasing maneuver.

Looks too complex, anyway...

 

[CigDriver]

The XL-70 has an autopilot based on the one for the DeltaGlider It works exactly the same. I had to make a few tweaks, and it needs more, but you can use it and set it on a new course after you launch the Dart.

 

[mc_]

Do you mean dg_aap?..

 

[CigDriver]

yes, same code. But tweaked to work with the XL, shallower climb angles and rudder input to turn better.

 

[tblaxland]

I think it will be much nicer to move the stack away from the HyperDart than moving the HyperDart

FWIW, having the vehicle manoeuvre away from the sat is not unusual. It was certainly done that way with HST on the servicing missions (Hubble has no RCS at all) and IIRC even IUS launched sats required a separation burn by the orbiter after the initial spring separation.

Keep up the good work, I'll go back to lurking

 

[CigDriver]

Beta time

http://www.animatedexistence.com/orbiter/hyperdart/HyperDart_PB8.zip

I had some problems with my server this morning, if it continues I'll put this on orbithangar.

You need UMMU, UCGO (includes UMMU), URMS and Wideawake International (for mission 7 others are ok without it)

The XL-70 has an lua autopilot. Type run('xl70/aap') in the console window or terminal MFD. It controls heading, alt and speed. syntax is just like the DG lua autopilot. ex: aap.spd(300), aap.hdg(90), aap.alt(20000).

The micro sat thrusters are inactive until it has been activated using the K key. So far the best way I have found to dock the micro sat and booster is to grapple the booster with a UMMU and then put your focus on the micro sat. Open the docking MFD and use the remote vehicle control (f4 menu) to position the UMMU to achieve the docking connection. then switch focus to the booster for thruster control.

A few known issues:

• The UCGO release goes really fast, after that they realse at the intended speed. If you preposition a UMMU you can switch focus and grab the UCGO before it gets away.
• the Micro Booster has no linear thrusters, these will be added
• the 2.0 VC is not in yet. It still has the unreleased (until now) 1.5 VC.
• The lua autopilot for the XL is rough and needs further tweaking, but at least it doesn't immediately overstress the XL now
• Some UMMU have the wrong gender name. this wasn't an issue before you could take the suits off...I'll get them tracked down and changed.
• No documentation
• No change log! I lost my paper where I was writing changes down. I'll update this post once I the changes down.

Have fun and leave lots of comments/feedback.

 

[garyw]

Is now Orbiter 2010 only?

 

[CigDriver]

The only code change from 2006 was the XL's engines. I compiled it with the 2010 SDK, but it appears to work in 2006. Of course the XL engines will be more powerful.

 

[krashkart]

@CigDriver

Finally got a chance to strap on the HyperDart.

My first observation is that the rotational RCS is a bit sluggish and needs some tuning. Going from prograde to retrograde using Orbiter's built-in autos, the ship has rotated around normally but RCS did not compensate enough to transition smoothly to retrograde facing. Instead the ship has rotated beyond that point into a nose-down orientation towards Earth and is slowly beginning to rotate back up again. It swings the mass around well enough I think, but definitely needs a softer transition like the DG's and XR's have.

Proceeding with the rest of the flight. I'll post more observations in this message as I find it.

 

[CigDriver]

When you experienced that did you create the HyperDart on obit through the scenario editor? I have only experienced that type of rotation when fuel tank 1 is full (it might be tank 0, it is the first one in the menu), like it would be with a dart created with the scenario editor. If that is the case put the level of fuel tank 1 down to 10% or less like it would be if you flew it to orbit and the RCS should work fine. That main tank is 280000kg if memory serves right and is about 80% of a fully loaded hyperdart.

Let me know, thanks!

 

[Eccentrus]

my comments:

the XL70 autopilot is certainly a disaster when you try to state its heading as well (aap.hdg)

the HD itself only has the problem with RCS when in LEO, on upper orbits, the RCS autopilot seems to work much finer

 

[krashkart]

When you experienced that did you create the HyperDart on obit through the scenario editor? I have only experienced that type of rotation when fuel tank 1 is full (it might be tank 0, it is the first one in the menu), like it would be with a dart created with the scenario editor. If that is the case put the level of fuel tank 1 down to 10% or less like it would be if you flew it to orbit and the RCS should work fine. That main tank is 280000kg if memory serves right and is about 80% of a fully loaded hyperdart.

Let me know, thanks!

I launched her on an Energia to ~150 km the first time. Hadn't stopped to think that the main tank would be much closer to empty if I'd followed protocol. :lol:

Anyway I just ran through all the AP's again, this time with the main tank empty and that did the trick.

the HD itself only has the problem with RCS when in LEO, on upper orbits, the RCS autopilot seems to work much finer

Noted. :tiphat:

 

[kevlvm]

Getting a CTD on loading dart scenarios - have all required add-ons installed - this is a copy of my Orbiter Log

Finished initialising world
Module XL70.dll .............. [Build 100702, API 100606]
Module HyperDart.dll ......... [Build 100713, API 100606]
>>> ERROR: No vessel class configuration file found for:
---------------------------------------------------------------
>>> ERROR: URMS
>>> [Vessel::OpenConfigFile | .\Vessel.cpp | 252]
---------------------------------------------------------------
>>> TERMINATING <<<


Seeing it said URMS I reinstalled and still no joy

 

[garyw]

According to that log you are missing Kulchs universal remote Manipulator. Are you SURE you have all the addons installed?

 

[kevlvm]

:hide: umm...upon further review - I saw the URMS is an exe and not just something you unzip to orbiter directory...nothing to see here- move along.

Thank you for the kind prod of Look again doofus!

 

[CigDriver]

my comments:

the XL70 autopilot is certainly a disaster when you try to state its heading as well (aap.hdg)

I was just doing a flight to get some screen shots and noticed that I must have overwritten the XL70 aap file with an older version. No idea how I did that It used to work much better, currently the hdg program is completely unusable, and the alt program is using 20 degree climb instead of the 10 I had changed it too. I'll recreate and post is here.

//***********Edit**********
I just did some quick testing and had better luck with the xl70 autopilot. I'm not sure why it is acting weird on some occasions. If anyone wants to test here is my normal procedure:

• load mission 6
• run the autopilot in a mfd or separate window. type in - run('xl70/aap')
• set the alt to 10000m - aap.alt(10000)
• set the speed to 350m/s - aap.spd(350)
• once you have positive climb retract the gear
• at about 1000m set the heading to 30.6 - aap.hdg(30.6)
  • this will change based on what you are trying to do, this is what i calculated should put me in the correct orbit to launch the satellite in the mission
• once you hit 10000m wait for the speed to get above mach 1 then lower the wingtips
• set the alt to 15000m and the speed to 600m/s
• once you hit 15000m set the alt to 20000m
• monitor the dynamic pressure and adjust the speed hold based on it
  • aprox 700 at 18000m
  • 900 at 20000m
• launch the dart once speed and alt stabilize
• you are automatically switched to the dart, once it stabilizes around 30 degree climb switch back to the XL
• change the speed and alt to 1000m/s and 27000m
• switch back to the dart and get it set up for orbit
• once you are in drift waiting for Apogee to circularize you have some time to play with the XL

At this point I've had good luck with the autopilot in the XL. I've been able to set new headings and altitudes without issue. the autopilot also seems to work good right after takeoff. I did run into issues with the autopilot around 300m/s and 4000m though, but only if I changed headings. I have found that changing the Cog or trim in the XL with the autopilot running can cause oscillations that will get out of control. I'm not sure why that happens, I'd think the autopilot would just adjust and get on with it

The big thing with the heading autopilot is that the XL requires rudder input for coordinated turns, unlike the stock DG. I mixed in some rudder based on bank angle, and it helped but perhaps I'll have to try some other way of figuring out how much rudder to add. I'm open to suggestions or if anyone is interested in tweaking the aap code it is located in scripts/xl70.aap.lau.